Zitadelle Spandau, Berlin

There are very few medieval buildings left in Berlin, and this fortress is one of the rare survivors. Designed in 1562 by Italian architect Francesco Chiaramella de Gandino in the style of a French fortress, construction was finally completed 34 years later by Count Rochus zu Lynar. Today, the Kommandantenhaus (Commander's House) has been converted into a Museum of Local History (Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Spandau). Art exhibitions are also organized within the fortress.